People of the Barchalla Assembly constituency in Sonitpur district of Assam are not happy with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s decision for selecting sitting MLA Ganesh Kumar Limbu for a second time to represent the constituency in the ensuing state polls.

People have alleged that Limbu has done nothing in the last five years and hence he should have been denied the ticket.

“Sarbanada Sonowal-led BJP government came into power riding on the promises of development. However, the Barchalla constituency has not witnessed any development in the last five years,” said a local.

“The condition of several roads have deteriorated and Limbu has not taken a single step to repair these,” he further alleged.

“We have been repeatedly requesting him to repair the damaged roads, but he has never paid heed to our requests. As a result, we have been forced to commute through these damaged roads and the situation worsens during the monsoons,” he further said.

It may be mentioned here that demanding the development and construction of roads in the constituency, Krishak-Shramik Suraksha Sangram Samiti (KSSSS) has staged several protests in the last five years, which ultimately turned to be futile.

For example, the Dhekiajuli-Pirakata road is full of large and small potholes and during monsoons, they resemble small ponds and lakes.

“The condition of the Dhekiajuli-Pirakata-Dhiraimajuli road is abysmal and MLA Limbu has done nothing to improve it. We are surprised as to why he was given the ticket for a second time?” questioned Pankaj Kalita, a resident of Dhekiajuli.

“People voted for the BJP candidate hoping for development. But what they got in return has been the exact opposite,” he further added.

“There is a huge difference between what BJP promised in 2016 and what they have delivered. The Sonowl-led government has failed to deliver on their poll promises,” said KSSSS state president Prashanta Baishya.

“The government has been claiming that it has repaired and constructed new roads in the rural areas of the state. However, these claims are blatant lies,” Baisya further alleged.

“Why should people then vote for such a non-performing MLA? The voters of Barchalla would give Limbu a befitting answer in the polls this time,” Baishya further said.

Only time will tell if Barchalla elects a different MLA or will they support Ganesh Kumar Limbu for a second time.